Drive device

Abstract

In a drive device for a vehicle seat ( 1 ), having a frame ( 10 ) which belongs to the vehicle seat ( 1 ), an output ( 14 a , 14 b ) which belongs to the vehicle seat ( 1 ), is hinged to the frame ( 10 ) and is pivotable relative to the latter about an axis (A), and a geared fitting ( 16 ), the two fitting parts ( 16 a , 16 b ) of which perform a relative rotational movement with superposed tumbling movement in a drive situation. One fitting part ( 16 a ) acts on the output ( 14 a , 14 b ) and the other fitting part ( 16 b ) is supported on the frame ( 10 ). A transmission element ( 25, 35, 37 ) is provided between the fitting part ( 16 a ) which acts on the output ( 14 a , 14 b ) and the output ( 14 a , 14 b ). The transmission element ( 25, 35, 37 ) is torsionally rigid in the circumferential direction of the axis (A) and simultaneously flexible in the radial direction of the axis (A).

The invention claimed is: 
     
       1. A drive device for a vehicle seat the drive device comprising:
 a frame associated with the vehicle seat; 
 an output associated with the vehicle seat, the output being articulated to the frame and being pivotable relative thereto about an axis; 
 a geared fitting with two fitting parts thereof in a drive situation, performing a relative rotational movement with a superimposed wobble motion, one of the fitting parts acting on the output and the other fitting part being supported on the frame; and 
 a transmission element between the fitting part acting on the output and the output, the transmission element being torsionally rigid in the circumferential direction of the axis and simultaneously flexible in the radial direction of the axis, wherein an end of said transmission element is fastened directly to the output and another end of the transmission element is fastened directly to the fitting part acting on the output. 
 
     
     
       2. A drive device as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the two fitting parts perform the relative rotational movement about the axis and the superimposed wobble motion in a plane perpendicular to the axis, wherein a force acting on said fitting part is transmitted directly to said output via said transmission element. 
     
     
       3. A drive device as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the transmission element transmits the relative rotational movement of the two fitting parts without clearance onto the output and compensates for the wobble motion. 
     
     
       4. A drive device as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the transmission element comprises a transmission tube fastened directly to the output by means of torsionally rigid and flexible membranes and is fastened directly to the fitting part acting on the output. 
     
     
       5. A drive device as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the transmission element comprises a transmission tube with torsionally rigid and flexible regions, by means of which the transmission tube is fastened to the output and to the fitting part acting on the output. 
     
     
       6. A drive device as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the transmission element comprises a bellows or a membrane compensator, which is fastened to the output and to the fitting part acting on the output. 
     
     
       7. A drive device as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein in structural terms the geared fitting is disk-shaped, by means of which it is integrated in the point of articulation between the frame and the output. 
     
     
       8. A drive device as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the geared fitting may be driven manually by means of a step-by-step mechanism, or by a drive motor. 
     
     
       9. A drive device as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein in the event of a crash the transmission element absorbs energy in the torsionally rigid and/or flexible regions. 
     
     
       10. A vehicle seat comprising:
 a seat cushion with a frame; 
 a subframe; 
 a height adjuster, by means of which a height of the seat cushion may be adjusted via the subframe, and/or an inclination adjuster and/or a backrest adjuster, the height adjuster or inclination adjuster or backrest adjuster comprising a drive device, the drive device comprising: 
 an output associated with the vehicle seat, the output being articulated to the frame and being pivotable relative thereto about an axis; 
 a geared fitting with two fitting parts thereof in a drive situation, performing a relative rotational movement with a superimposed wobble motion, one of the fitting parts acting on the output and the other fitting part being supported on the frame; and 
 a transmission element between the fitting part acting on the output and the output, the transmission element being torsionally rigid in the circumferential direction of the axis and simultaneously flexible in the radial direction of the axis, wherein an end of the transmission element is fastened directly to the output and another end of the transmission element is fastened directly to the fitting part acting on the output. 
 
     
     
       11. A vehicle seat as claimed in  claim 10 , wherein the vehicle seat has the geared fitting on just one vehicle seat side, wherein a force acting on said fitting part is transmitted directly to said output via said transmission element. 
     
     
       12. A vehicle seat as claimed in  claim 10 , wherein the vehicle seat has a geared fitting on both vehicle seat sides. 
     
     
       13. A vehicle seat as claimed in  claim 10 , wherein the two fitting parts perform the relative rotational movement about the axis and the superimposed wobble motion in a plane perpendicular to the axis. 
     
     
       14. A vehicle seat as claimed in  claim 10 , wherein the transmission element transmits the relative rotational movement of the two fitting parts without clearance onto the output and compensates for the wobble motion. 
     
     
       15. A vehicle seat as claimed in  claim 10 , wherein the transmission element comprises a transmission tube, which is fastened directly to the output by means of torsionally rigid and flexible membranes and is fastened directly to the fitting part acting on the output. 
     
     
       16. A vehicle seat as claimed in  claim 10 , wherein the transmission element comprises a transmission tube with torsionally rigid and flexible regions, by means of which the transmission tube is fastened to the output and to the fitting part acting on the output. 
     
     
       17. A vehicle seat as claimed in  claim 10 , wherein the transmission element comprises a bellows or a membrane compensator, which is fastened to the output and to the fitting part acting on the output. 
     
     
       18. A vehicle seat as claimed in  claim 10 , wherein in the event of a crash the transmission element absorbs energy in the torsionally rigid and/or flexible regions. 
     
     
       19. A drive device as claimed in  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a first membrane comprising a first membrane; and 
 a second membrane, wherein said drive device has only one said gear fitting, said end of the transmission element being fastened directly and exclusively to the output via said first membrane, said another end of the transmission element being fastened directly to the fitting part acting on the output via said second membrane, wherein a force acting on said fitting part is transmitted directly to said output via said transmission element, said first membrane and said second membrane. 
 
     
     
       20. A drive device for a vehicle seat the drive device comprising:
 a frame associated with the vehicle seat; 
 a first output element and a second output element associated with the vehicle seat, said first output element and said second output element being articulated to the frame and said first output element and said second output element being pivotable relative to the frame about an axis; 
 a geared fitting with two fitting parts thereof in a drive situation, performing a relative rotational movement with a superimposed wobble motion, one of the two fitting parts acting on said first output element and another one of said two fitting parts being supported on the frame; and 
 a transmission structure extending between said first output element and said second output element, said transmission structure being torsionally rigid in a circumferential direction of the axis and simultaneously flexible in a radial direction of the axis, wherein an end of said transmission structure is coupled exclusively with said second output element and another end of the transmission structure is directly fastened to said one of the two fitting parts acting on said output element, said transmission structure defining a force transmission path means for transmitting a force acting on said first output element directly to said second output element.